Former Barcelona footballer Alen Halilović has confessed that his departure from the club in 2016 marked the most significant error in his career trajectory.
Halilović was recruited by Barcelona from Dinamo Zagreb in 2014, shortly after celebrating his 18th birthday, following his remarkable emergence in Croatian football. Regarded as a promising talent, the midfielder seemed like an ideal fit for Barcelona’s future plans.
His arrival coincided with Barcelona’s triumphant season, which meant that Halilović remained with the B team for the 2014/15 campaign. Subsequently, he embarked on a loan spell with Sporting Gijón in an effort to gain exposure to La Liga.
Upon his return to Barcelona, Halilović contemplated a permanent transfer to Hamburg in the Bundesliga due to limited first-team opportunities in Catalonia.
This decision initiated a nomadic journey across Europe for Halilović, characterized by struggles for consistent playing time and mounting injury concerns.
He traversed through various leagues including Spain, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and the English Championship, representing clubs such as Las Palmas, Milan, Standard Liège, Heerenveen, Birmingham, and Reading, before eventually joining Dutch outfit Fortuna Sittard at the onset of the 2023/24 season.
Transitioning from a highly-regarded teenage prospect to a seasoned player grappling with challenges, Halilović reflects on how his departure from Barcelona altered the course of his career.
“I aimed to showcase abilities akin to Modrić or Messi, but football doesn’t adhere to such simplistic expectations. To youngsters aged 16 or 17 undergoing similar experiences, I would advise prioritizing the enjoyment of playing football,” Halilović shared with Marca.
“Barça, with its distinctive style, appeared to be the sole club where I could make substantial strides as a footballer. In hindsight, adhering to Barcelona’s guidance and remaining on loan in La Liga would have been prudent. However, I felt prepared to contribute to the first team and opted to seek opportunities abroad. If I could revise a decision in my career, it would undoubtedly be to sustain my tenure in Spain. It stands as the pivotal misstep in my professional journey,” Halilović confessed.